LIGHT MY FIRE

The people streamed through the doors of the subway train and maneuvered
for seats and the better standing locations. The doors closed behind them
and after a brief pause I started playing that private game that so many
straphangers play - analyze the passengers.

Across from me was a nicely suited man who had a N Y Times folded under his
arm and an expensive briefcase in his grip. He sat next to a more casually
dressed man who was a bit older than he, who was carrying a tabloid
newspaper and a trade magazine. The blue-collar worker greeted his neighbor
cheerfully and energetically with a "Good morning - how ya' doin'?" and the
professional nodded back unenthusiastically.

The conversation moved from the weather to the local sports results and
then to making a living. The professional was an attorney for a Wall Street
mega firm who spoke only of the drudgery and office politics of his company
and his job. He could not wait to make a move but the climate wasn't right
so he said "I'll just have to grin and bear it until the economy picked up
again".

The blue collar worker responded." Yeah, things are tough and a lot of my
guys got laid off too but ya know it ain't so bad and I really like what I
do". It seems he was a maintenance and building services employee in a
high-rise office building - a cleaning and fix-it man. All the workers in
the building made more money that he and had cleaner more prestigious
positions BUT few were happier than he to show up at the job every day. He
cleaned and fixed with a passion because he felt he was lucky to have a job
and he did what he did as well as anyone could perform his duties.

Success is not necessarily based on intelligence or position. Being a
winner comes with a positive attitude towards your job. One who approaches
his or her work as an unpleasant task and is working just because one needs
the money will spend long days crawling unsuccessfully through his or her
responsibilities. The person who greets each day as a challenge and wants
to do whatever it is he or she must as best as one can do it will succeed
in all endeavors. It is not an inborn trait it is one that comes with
learning motivation from others who are motivated, by reading about success
stories and by listening to positive thinking motivational speakers. If you
want to succeed "light a fire" in your soul and do your best at whatever
you do.